Press Room

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., December 4, 2003 — Because workplace accidents and injuries can have devastating effects in an industrial environment, the thorough training of each employee on safety procedures, protective equipment and potential hazards is a must for any employer. In order to maintain a safe and productive workplace, Spherion Corporation recommends that each employer design specific training standards for its flexible workforce or partner with staffing providers that specialize in managing light industrial workers in order to minimize the risks and costs associated with workplace accidents and injuries. 

Even though workplace injuries and illnesses have declined by 40 percent in the past 30 years, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that corporations still lose $170 billion each year because of accidents, injuries and illnesses.

"Employers have made great strides in improving workplace safety, but with the growing number of flexible workers being utilized, they face a new set of circumstances," said Robert Morgan, president of Spherion® Employment Solutions. "The implementation of thorough hiring practices and customized safety programs will result in a safer, well-trained flexible workforce that will help businesses improve safety records, reduce insurance premiums and increase profits and productivity."

Critical First Step: Intensive Hiring Practices and Skill Assessment

The safety process begins with hiring the right temporary workers who have the skills and experience necessary to succeed. Rigorous testing and screening should be considered a necessity for hiring any flexible worker because it can quickly assess skills and eliminate less qualified candidates that are greater safety risks. 

Customized Safety Programs Key to Success of Flexible Workers

Each industrial facility has its own specific safety needs and must develop safety standards and training programs to adequately prepare its workforce for potential hazards. However, flexible worker training programs must include additional elements that complement what is provided to the full-time workforce. There are specific needs of workers that may not be on-site every day and have less time to get acclimated to the work environment than their full-time counterparts.

Staffing Solutions Give Clients Industrial Advantage^SM

To assist facility managers trying to manage a flexible workforce in addition to their full-time workforce, Spherion introduced its Industrial Advantage staffing solution in June 2003. Industrial Advantage was designed to address the unique challenges faced at industrial facilities by linking five critical areas: skills, training, safety, productivity and managing the diverse workforce. 

Industrial Advantage also offers 24/7 support that allows companies to quickly adjust the size of their workforce to meet real-time production needs and improves the process of hiring, training, integrating and managing flexible employees.

Before flexible workers are deployed on-site, they are assessed through a variety of skill tests directly related to the intended position and given an in-depth orientation including safety training which is developed by Spherion experts and the industrial facility manager. On-going performance monitoring, compliance audits and regular safety tip reminders are also provided to ensure the overall safety of the flexible workforce.

"Spherion used the knowledge gained from more than 57 years of experience in workforce management to develop a customizable solution that provides our clients with flexible industrial workers who will contribute to their productivity and success while driving down costs and safety risks," Morgan said. "It's more than just filling an open position, it's about providing our clients with skilled talent that will be productive and understands how to respond to the critical safety issues they will face on a daily basis." 

Spherion's Employment Solutions practice specializes in the development and delivery of innovative workplace solutions to assist organizations with the recruitment, placement and management of workers for ongoing initiatives and large-scale hiring projects.

About Spherion
Spherion Corporation provides recruitment, technology and outsourcing services. Founded in 1946, with operations in North America, Central America, Europe and Asia/Pacific, Spherion helps companies efficiently plan, acquire and optimize talent to improve their bottom line. Visit the Company’s Web site at www.spherion.com.